







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| That's true! How much is your rent? | |
| I didn't know that, I hope it's not serious. | |
| Hi, is your cat okay? | |
| I don't want you to spend a fortune. | |
| How is it my fault? | |
| Hello Beatrix, it's me, Cate. | |
| Okay, the grated one's 20% off today. | |
| Is one bunch enough for you? | |
| Whose cat?... Do you mean my cat? | |
| It's got some water marks on it! | |
| Hello, I'm very sorry dear, I'm a bit late. | |
| Thanks for offering me that, dear. | |
| It's always the same. | |
| Yes, he definitely doesn't like changing places. | |
| My landlords are a gay couple. | |
| I need to use chicken stock for the risotto! | |
| What do you think, dear, do you like it, too? | |
| Are they older or younger? | |
| Yes, that's a good idea. | |
| It's not a nice thing to do. | |